Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually. Several dozen union members and VA employees rallied outside the department headquarters amid fears of staff cuts and funding reductions for the agency. Only the American flag and other state and military-related banners will be allowed to be displayed under the new department policy. VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named. An employee from the controversial new department will review VA contracts and IT system operations, VA officials confirmed. The former Georgia congressman was easily confirmed to lead the nation's delivery of veterans benefits and health care. The move to end telework at VA follows instructions from the White House to return most federal employees to their pre-pandemic duty stations. Officials said the staff changes are not part of larger efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion programs from the department. White House officials said VA financial assistance programs do not violate rules banning diversity and inclusion efforts. The top watchdogs for the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs were among the individuals dismissed by Trump. Load More
